About Culture Spring

Nahshon Neru (Project Lead)

Nahshon, or Nahsh (he/him), is the incredible Project Lead for Culture Spring. He coordinates the unit as a whole, works on the development of the business and systems internally, and connects with key partners to help deliver the future we are trying to build.

Nahsh has a long background in community and creative projects, is a graphic designer, and an absolute fiend for basketball. Born in Samoa and growing up in Aotearoa New Zealand, he is incredibly passionate about creating systems of change for multicultural young people, and making them realise how powerful, beautiful, and meaningful they are to the communities they come from and the communities they find.

Akwal Magek

Akwal (Ak-uo-wa-l) Magek is a vibrant force in the realm of storytelling, a multidisciplinary artist primarily utilising poetry and spoken word to explore the themes of identity and self-love. She has a talent for blending spoken word and playwriting to paint vivid worlds of imagery with words, encouraging us to re-evaluate the confines that shape our perspectives and question prevailing paradigms of beauty and thought.

Akwal began her journey as a creative facilitator in Melbourne’s Western suburbs. Her creative spirit thrives in environments that encourage self-expression in various forms. As a creative facilitator, she is dedicated to supporting others in accessing creative spaces for themselves and exploring their own creative potential. She particularly enjoys working with young people, nurturing their creative exploration and self-expression.

In addition to her artistic activities, Akwal is deeply involved in community and youth work, making her a perfect fit as Culture Spring’s Youth Consultant. With over seven years of experience in the community arts and development sector, she advocates for young people, particularly from overlooked and multicultural backgrounds. She collaborates on projects that focus on youth empowerment, leadership, and creativity, ensuring that diverse voices are heard and represented.

Akwal’s work extends to organising youth events, facilitating workshops, and co-designing initiatives that address systemic challenges such as racism and bullying in the Australian education system.

In her world, authenticity drives change, she continually asks the question, “why?”—challenging the status quo and encouraging others, especially young people, to embrace their true selves while making their mark on the world.

Ali Al Lawati

Ali Al Lawati is Culture Spring’s Youth Consultant and a dedicated youth and multicultural advocate.

Having migrated to Australia by himself on a full ride scholarship to the University of Melbourne, Ali has developed a strong background in governance, risk management, and financial analysis at his time at KPMG and Industry. He is actively pursuing his CFA qualification. Ali is passionate about community service; holding multiple board positions including at Youth Affairs Council Victoria (YACVIC), Southern Migrant & Refugee Centre, and previously at the Omani Students Association. He has also been a leader of the Yes23 campaign in his local area, along with currently serving on the VMC Regional Advisory Council and the City of Greater Dandenong Multicultural and People Seeking Asylum Advisory.

Committee (MAPSAAC) member, Ali is a VMC Youth Awards nominee, reflecting his commitment to youth and multicultural initiatives. Fluent in English and Arabic, he brings a diverse skill set and a commitment to excellence in all his endeavours.

Evrim Şen

Evrim Şen (they/she) is one of our Project Support Officers. They spearheaded the development of Culture Spring’s Diversity Conversation modules and are excited to creating opportunities for young multicultural people to find employment in Australia, be recognised for opportunities and have positions of power in their workplaces, so they can lead change in their industries.

She’s just started a PhD at RMIT University to recognise and certify the unique learning experiences in the Australian youth arts space, advocating for inclusive non-traditional development programs. To document unique leadership roles in community arts spaces. Evrim is also a creative working across the emerging community arts field and currently run an audio fiction podcast Script Roulette Podcast in partnership with the Arts Centre Melbourne.

Nyarath Gatkuoth

Nyarath is a creative professional with a diverse background in community engagement, administration, and digital marketing. As an advocate for multiculturalism and a champion of diversity, she is excited to empower young people in her role as Culture Spring’s Youth Consultant!

Currently pursuing degrees in design and media communication, Nyarath is dedicated to dismantling and challenging harmful representations. This dedication fuels her commitment to supporting diversity, fostering creativity, and empowering young people.

Thomas Feng (Chair)

Thomas Feng 冯子晋 (he/him) is a Chinese-Australian writer, advocate and photographer who has been on the Culture Spring Committee of Management since August 2022.

Professionally, he works as Media and Communications Manager for Human Rights Law Centre, with extensive communications, strategy, media and community engagement experience which focuses on translating complex issues into compelling campaigns, particularly to improve diverse and marginalised communities.

Thomas previously led high-performing, creative teams at Youth Affairs Council Victoria and Road to Refuge, centring lived experience and using advocacy on a number of issues, including the reinstatement for a Federal Minister for Youth, more COVID-19 support for young people, raising the age of criminal responsibility, and building stronger social connection between people seeking asylum and communities.

Thomas has been heavily involved in the youth sector for a decade, and is passionate about making spaces where young people can expand their realm of possibilities.

Thomas holds a Bachelor of Commerce from The University of Melbourne, and was a 2021 Centre for Australian Progress Fellow.

Ai-Lin Chang

Ai-Lin Chang is 29 years old and a second-gen Chinese Malaysian migrant living on Bunurong Country in Melbourne/Naarm’s inner west. Her day job is working as a Senior Engagement Adviser for the Suburban Rail Loop.

She is extremely passionate about ensuring all underrepresented voices get a say at the decision-making table, whether it’s in public policy or major legacy projects or anything else. Fundamentally everyone should have a say in the decisions that affect their livelihoods, but we know this often isn’t the case. She also believes that a lot of the structural inequity issues we see can be addressed by empowering the people affected to have a voice and shape that decisions that matter to them.

Ai-Lin bring to the table her own lived experiences, as well as her knowledge of meaningful and robust community engagement processes and experiences working in management consulting.

Emily Unity

Emily Unity is a lived and living experience professional who is passionate about advocating for the human rights of all people, regardless of background, identity, or intersectionality.

Emily is currently the Lived Experience Lead for the Royal Children’s Hospital, on the Committees of Management for VMIAC (State Consumer Peak) and Centre for Multicultural Youth, on the boards for Midsumma and Intertwine, and advisory committees for UNICEF, Headspace, Beyond Blue, CYDA, Orygen, and more.

For their work, Emily was recently awarded Mental Health Advocate of the Year, Youth of the Year, Disability Leadership Award, Innovation in Protecting Children Award, Children and Youth Empowerment Award, Community Leadership Award, 25 Under 25, 30 Under 30, and inducted in the first cohort of the Multicultural Honor Roll.

Emily grounds their work in their intersectional experiences of mental health, disability, LGBTQIA+, homelessness, neurodiversity, and being a young carer from a refugee and migrant background.

Kevin Kapeke

Kevin works as the Engagement Coordinator, Young People at VicHealth. He sits within the CEO’s office and in close partnership with all teams across VicHealth. He is responsible for coordinating and managing VicHealth’s partnerships with youth organisations, as well as supporting the integration of voices, lived experience and diverse perspectives of young people across Victoria into the work of VicHealth. Kevin also serves on the Africa Day Australia, Zimbabwean Community, and YMCA boards.

Kimberley Chu

Kimberley Chu has always been a passionate advocate for diverse communities, especially multicultural communities and youth. As a young person who moved to Australia a few years ago, she bring a unique perspective to community engagement, having experienced life in both metropolitan and regional areas, where she had to navigate the system on her own.

Working in the employment sector within a non-profit setting over the past three years has provided Kimberley with valuable insights and connections. Engaging with individuals from all walks of life and listening to their stories has driven her commitment to speak up for those who might not have a loud voice to do so. This experience has motivated her to advocate for systemic change for our communities.

In addition, Kimberley has had the privilege of serving as a board member, supporting regional multicultural communities to foster inclusion and social cohesion through innovative and culturally appropriate strategies. She is eager to bring her own lived experiences and professional background to Culture Spring, contributing to our shared goal of creating a more equitable world.

Krushnadevsinh (Kano) Ravalji

Krushnadevsinh (Kano) Ravalji is the founder of Third Culture Australia and an award-winning speaker, consultant, and trainer. Kano works with young people, multicultural communities and organisations to promote inclusion, equity and leadership.

Kano led a project with the North Melbourne Football Club – The Huddle, to encourage multicultural people to receive their COVID-19 vaccinations and has conducted research with the Australian National University and UNICEF into the experiences of young people with institutionalised racism. Kano is a member of the Western Metropolitan Partnership and previously worked in the Access and Inclusion team at the Victorian Electoral Commission, increasing the CALD community’s participation in the democratic process over three elections. These organisations enable Kano to broaden his engagement with the community, and allow him to advise policy-making that is culturally appropriate, inclusive and helps organisations become more culturally responsive. He shares his common migration experience to empower others to own their stories and be confident in their identities.

Mahsa Nabizada

Mahsa is an Afghan-Australian based in Melbourne, passionately dedicated to education, storytelling, gender equality, and education. As a producer at ABC, she channels her stosrytelling skills to create an impactful and powerful platform for young people. She is completing a Bachelor of Science degree, with a focus on psychology and neuroscience. Additionally, she serves as the Chief People Officer at the Melbourne Space Program, driven by her enthusiasm for space exploration and industry expansion.

Being part of Culture Spring aligns with Mahsa’s commitment to inclusivity and cultural safety for our diverse community. Her extensive experience in community service and advocacy, particularly in supporting diverse communities and promoting social equity, uniquely positions her to contribute effectively to the transformation of organisations and workplaces. Mahsa is dedicated to empowering multicultural young people, bringing their perspectives to the forefront, and ensuring they become active participants and leaders in driving change.

Mohamed Omer

Mohamed (he/him) is a chemical engineering student, anti-racism advocate and public servant. He is a proud Sudanese man who has been working in student advocacy for the past 5 years and has been leading events and initiatives for multicultural youth at the University of Melbourne from holding festivals, publishing magazines and creating safe spaces through his role at the student union.

He created the annual Racism at the University of Melbourne Report which details students experiences of social and institutional racism at the University, with recommendations to guide them in addressing the issues. The third edition, published in 2023, pushed the University to begin concrete work on its anti-racism strategy and highlighted the importance of this work in the sector.

Mohamed is currently also the co-chair at Welcoming Australia’s Student Advisory Committee which aims to serve as an advisory body of students to support and guide the work of Welcoming Australia.

Safar Ibrahimi

Safar Ibrahimi, Afghan/Hazara/Australian person, is a Democracy Ambassador (DA) who helps Multicultural Communities better their understanding about elections and democracy. It is his belief to ensure voting is inclusive and easily understood for all.

In the past 6 years, Safar has been working as a community consultant, recruiter and program developer across public and not for profit, and most recently has been working as stakeholder’s consultant engagement where he focuses on building new partnerships with employer and community stakeholders, to create employment opportunities to meet the needs of jobseekers, businesses, and the local communities.

Safar has a driving passion for social justice but on the side, also enjoys reading and playing sport.